Ask the unbeliever

[rebelgirl]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Seriously though we spend so much time picking at Christianity in this forum, I thought it would be nice to start a thread where people can ask honest questions they might have to those that don't believe without animosity or any negativity being exchanged.

not that i represent all non believers I'm my own unique person on that level, but well I don't believe so I might be able to provide a little insight into my personal lack of faith anyway. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] And maybe some of the other non-religious types will play too [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I'm up for it. actually i more than curious if anyone has any question for those that don't believe in a God that they have not asked, or received less than positive responses to.

If no one has any questions that's fine too, but I thought I'd offer myself up on the proverbial chopping block if there is anything that someone wants clarification on or is just plain curious about.

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

I'm ready too.

[Boricua_papi]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

rebel,

If I can just add, I have not always been an agnostic. For many years, I was a bible-believing, praying, saved christian who would defend scripture to the death. However, when I entered graduate school and studied physics, I came to understand that the cosmos was a much larger and more interesting place than described in a 2000-year-old religious manuscript. The blinding curtain of faith was lifted revealing a universe not constrained by theology but by physical laws. I no longer had to invoke the supernatural. Reality, in its messy natural state, was interesting enough.

[RollinCalf]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Fire away.

[rebelgirl]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

It's nice to see everybody ready and willing for questions. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] I suppose now we just have to see if anyone has any [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Boricua I might ask you a couple in a little while. I've always been curious myself about how someone is effected by the loss of extreme faith as you described yourself having in the past. I think I'll wait and let other people ask some questions first though, if there is any. don't want to come off as yanking my own chain in this thread [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Vonnie]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Mek me teck time come in ya so.
I grew up in a christian home, so I adopt this lifestyle. I do respect everyone right to whatever religion they choose.

1) What made you decide not to become be a christian.

2) What were the turnoffs

3) Are there any christians in your family

4) Do you have friends who are christians and if so do you find it hard to communicate with then at times without bringing up religion.

[M]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

OK, I'd like to understand the definition of "unbeliever."

[mountaingal]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

^5 rebel, for this topic! i'll take my turn answering YOM's questions after I've had some time to think.

[Diplomat]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Great topic though I hope you are "serious" about it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] . Anyways, how you explain proven miracles; e.g. someone who was diagnosed by several doctors with an illness but through prayer was totally healed, also certifiable by doctors?

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by M:

OK, I'd like to understand the definition of "unbeliever."

I don't believe that there are invisible beings large or small, existing in our universe.

[rebelgirl]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Hi yom [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Thanks for your questions, I'll do my best.

Originally posted by Yom:
[qb]

1) What made you decide not to become be a Christian.[/qb]

I myself was never a Christian, raised a Buddhist but no longer a practitioner of Buddhism either, although it did influence my life, and personal philosophy, in some things quite strongly.

2) What were the turnoffs

I was exposed to the abrahamic religions as a child even though not in my own home. I guess some of the main turn offs were hmmmm....

Well as a youngster I witnessed allot of painful things, I guess one main turn off at the time was reconciling the idea of a supreme deity with the horrible things I saw happen around me to people that had never done anything to deserve suffering. the few times I allowed myself to entertain the idea of there being one God i found myself overcome with anger at the idea that all of this was allowed to happen under the watchful eye of what I was being told was a loving God.

Another factor and not necessarily a turn off but a stumbling block in being able to believe was that I saw no evidence of a single God. what I saw did not mesh with what I was told by my religious relatives was the beginning of earth and man, and the reasoning behind the existence of everything around me. I guess science for me made much more sense and it didn't mesh with the idea's I was told about creation and intelligent design.

3) Are there any christians in your family

Yes, on my fathers side my grandparents and aunt are Christian (honestly don't know what denomination) On my mothers side primarily JW's

4) Do you have friends who are christians and if so do you find it hard to communicate with then at times without bringing up religion.

Yes I do have friends that are Christian. the only time it has presented any uncomfortable feelings between us in conversation is when it comes to Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays just for the sense of fun, and I love to dress up.

Other than that we don't have any problems communicating, for the most part religion is not discussed, although there have been a few occasions, but there seems to be almost an unspoken rule of not really getting into debating our beliefs, I except theirs and they except mine, and so far we seem to be able to enjoy each others company for the other aspects we share in common. although there was one time after my daughter was born where a friend of mine suggested I should bring my daughter up Christian, but she wasn't pushy about it and when she realized that it wasn't going to happen she dropped it pretty quick.

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by Yom:

1) What made you decide not to become be a christian.

I questioned a Bible story in Sunday school (Joshua fit the Battle of Jericco), and my Sunday school teacher got vexed with me. So maybe I never really believed. I was seven or eight at the time, and never went to church again.

Originally posted by Yom:

2) What were the turnoffs

Disrespect. Being an outsider, and fear of ridiculefrom some in my peer group. This was in the deep South.

Originally posted by Yom:

3) Are there any christians in your family

All of them. Mom especially was a devout woman.

Originally posted by Yom:

4) Do you have friends who are christians and if so do you find it hard to communicate with then at times without bringing up religion.

If any of my friends are Christians, they have failed to bring it up. But my oldest friend is so into the NewAge stuff that he believes it all.

[rebelgirl]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by M:
[qb] OK, I'd like to understand the definition of "unbeliever." [/qb]

I was generalizing in a big way, but the idea i had behind using the term was someone who doesn't believe in god, or gods. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[rebelgirl]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] Great topic though I hope you are "serious" about it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] .[/qb]

I am definitely serious, I'm also interested to see the difference in the answers, and questions too. I thought it would be a nice switch [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[qb]Anyways, how you explain proven miracles; e.g. someone who was diagnosed by several doctors with an illness but through prayer was totally healed, also certifiable by doctors? [/qb]

Well to some extent I do believe in the power of mind over matter, meaning i believe the human mind has a great deal of power to heal the body and although not complete, I do believe that if someone believes that they will get well it has a great effect on their possible recovery. Emotional states of mind can have a very powerful effect on our immune system , this i have seen first hand in myself during times i have been very depressed and become quite ill. and times when I was overjoyed and none of my chronic problem were bothering me.

I also believe a whole group of people concentrating and aiding in a persons recovery does a great deal in helping the sick individuals moral and desire to heal.


I don't know if that completely explains away miracles but it is one thing I think contributes to appearance of them.

[Diplomat]

Re: Ask the unbeliever

rebel: Interesting response and thanks for taking the time to do so. I also believe the mind is a very powerful thing and a lot of what happens in our lives, is a direct reflection of how we think. I do draw the line however at thinking that through positive thinking we can be healed/cured of something like terminal cancer (just as an example) which is a part of why I believe in God.

I have another question or two but will ask them later.